Jackets get a big win over Pens in shootout

COLUMBUS (AP) — Antoine Vermette has never missed the playoffs. The Columbus Blue Jackets have never made them.

Somebody’s streak is about to end.

Kristian Huselius had a goal in regulation and the only shootout goal and the Blue Jackets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on Thursday night after blowing a three-goal lead in the third period.

Vermette, who had an assist and his first goal since coming over in a trade-deadline deal with Ottawa, said the game could serve as a teaching moment to a team trying to figure out how to make the postseason for the first time.

“Somehow I like facing this situation,” said Vermette, who made the playoffs all four years with the Senators. “It sounds weird but good teams at this time have to show some [ability to overcome] adversity like this. [It’s] obviously not the way we wanted it, when you’re up 3-0. But when things aren’t going our way, you’ve got to remember these moments.”

Steve Mason was victimized for three goals in a span of 3:25 of the last period, but stopped Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the shootout.

Once the game reached the shootout, the rookie goalie might have been the calmest soul on the ice.

“As long as we score first, I feel pretty confident,” Mason said. “It doesn’t matter to me what the score is or what happens in the game. My demeanor never changes out there. I was calm throughout.”

The game was played before 19,167, the largest announced crowd ever to see a hockey game in Columbus.

“It was a great atmosphere out there,” Crosby said. “That’s the type of game you expect this time of year. A lot of teams are competing for points. The intensity is a little bit higher.”

The points were important for both teams, who each came into the game in sixth place in their respective divisions.

“Look who we beat in the last three games,” Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock said. “We beat Detroit, we beat Boston, we beat the hottest team in the NHL. It’s hard. Every game is hard. There are no breathers.”